Portable strap vise



June lS, 1957 F. L. SLADEK PORTABLE STRAP vIsE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l0, 1956 IN VEN TOR. FZEEE/CK SAE/f .Eme E8, 1957 F. L. SLADEK 2,795,984

PORTABLE STRAP vIsE Y Filed Feb. 10, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nrw' w w@ 5 /F y 44 ATTO/M5345 United States Patent O PORTABLE STRAP VISE Frederick L. Sladek, Port Orchard, Wash.

Application February 10, 1956, Serial No. 564,821

6 Claims. (Cl. 81-19) This invention relates generally to vise constructions and is more part-icularly concerned with a novel strap v1se.

A primary object of invention is to provide a novel strap vise including a support-base assembly having mounting means thereon for securing the same on a horizontal support surface, anchor means carried on the support-base 'assembly for anchoring one end portion of a clamping strap, and novel clamping and tightening means on the support-base assembly for readily and expeditiously retaining various sized articles of different shapes lon a support surface, and being especially adaptable to use on relatively fragile items being worked on.

A `further object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in a strap vise of the lcharacter set forth a hin-ge-support-base assembly which permits the 3 strap vise to be secured in -both a horizontal and vertical position.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide in a strap vise of the character set forth a support-base assembly comprised of a pair of separate plate members permitting the strap vise to be utilized in retaining relatively large articles.

Another object of invention in conformance with that set lforth is to provide in a strap vise of the character set forth improvements and refinements in the novel clamping assembly for affording positive retention and tension application on the clamping strap and affording ready removability of an article being retained -by the vise.

And yet another object of invention in conformance with that set forth is to provide a novel strap vise of the character set forth which is readily and economically manufactured, easily used and maintained, highly practical, versatile and satisfactory for the purpose intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details `of construction and operation `as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying -drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in wh-ich:

yFigure 1 is a side elevation of the novel strap vise, showing in dotted lines the utilization thereof for clamping articles of Ldifferent sizes;

Figure 2 is a plan View of the novel strap vise looking in the direction of line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged-scale sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing in dotted lines an alternate position of the support-'base assembly of the vise permitting optional disposition thereof in a horizontal or vertical position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged-Scale end elevation looking in the direction indicated by line 4 4 of Figure 2, with portions broken away and shown in Section for clarity;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 5 5 of Figure 4; and

'Figure 6 is reduced-scale side elevation of the novel ICC strap-vise 'assembly showing an `alternate support-base assembly useable for clamping relatively large articles.

Referring to the drawings, the novel strap vise is lindicated generally at 10 and may be clamped or retained on a horizontal s-upport 12 which may be of a ferrous or magnetic-type material, lor the strap clamp may be readily secured on a vertical support element as will subsequently become app-arent.

The novel strap vise includes ya support-base assembly indicated generally at 14, said support-base assembly having mounted thereon strap-anchoring means indicated generally at 16, a strap-tightener assembly, indicated generally at 18, and an article-'clamping strap indicated generally at 20.

The support-base 4assembly 14 comprises an elongated plate 22 of any suitable material, said plate including a plurality of transverse, spaced apertures extending therethrough between upper an-d lower surfaces thereof and having suitably mounted therein by means of mounting pins 24 permanent magnets 26 the lower surface of which being in planar alignment or flush with the lower surface of the plate 22 thus providing means for retaining the strap vise on a support surface comprised of a magnetic material. Extending transversely across the end portions of the plate 22 are clamp assemblies indicated generally at 28 each of which includes a Z-shaped mounting flange having a leg port-ion 30 overlying an upper surface end portion of the plate 22 and being secured thereon by means of a suitable securing element 32, such as a machine screw, the leg 30 continuing as 'a web portion 34, juxtaposed on the end lof the plate 22 and continuing as a laterally-extending ange 36 which provides an `upper clamping surface engageable on the upper surface of t-he support 1-2. The web 34 has extending laterally therefrom in overlying relationship to the leg 36 a laterallyextending support bracket 38 terminating in a right angularly-related extension portion 40 disposed substantially parallel to the web 34, and a suitable transverse pivot pin 42 extends through 'the porti-on 40 and the `web 34 for pivotally mounting thereon a verti-cally-pivotal C-shaped clamp 44 which includes a lower portion 46 threadedly mounting a clamping screw 48 having a clamping head 50 engageable -on the lower surface portion of the support 12 beneath the flange 36.

Suitably secured adjacent a side edge 52 of the plate 22 is a suitable piano-hinge 54 which hingedly mounts a pivotal plate 56 comprising a portion of the support-base assembly, said plate 56 having extending through opposite end portions thereof permanent magnets 58 similar to the magnets 26 and supported therein by means of pins 6i). As seen in Figure 3, the plate 56 may be pivoted to the position shown by the dotted lines and when the support 12 is a vertically disposed element the strap vise may be correspondingly mounted 'with the plate 22 disposed in `a vertically-supported position thus affording an appreciable degree of Versatility. The plates 22 and 56 include adjacent notc-hed-out portions 62 and 64 extending into adjacent side-edge portions of the respective members, and extending laterally into the opposite side edges of the plate 22 are elongated longitudinally-extending slot portions 66 and 68.

The strap-anchoring means 16 comprises U-shaped bracket 70 including an intermediate portion '72 disposed in overlying relationship relative to the upper surface portion of the plate 22 and including a plurality of transverse apertures 74, see Figure 2, which have extending therethrough suitable fastening elements 76 for securing on the portion 72 one end 78 of a clamping strap l2l) which is made of any suitable flexible and durable material, the end 78 of said strap having juxtaposed thereon an arcuate clamping plate 80 which is retained by means of the fastening elements 76. The bracket 70 has extending at right angles from the intermediate portion 72 flattened-side end portions 82 and 84 which terminate in inwardly-turned` end portions 86 and 88, respectively, which are also flattened and which extend into the longitudinally-extending slots 68 and 66, respectively, see Figure 3. The bracket 70 is suitably constructed to permit the ends 86 and 88 thereof to be bent into the respective slots 68 and 66. Thus the strap-anchoring means 16 may be slid along the slots 66 and 68 to a desired position and when tension is applied on the article-clamping strap the lower ends 86 and 88 of the bracket 70 will bind in the slots and firmly anchor one end of the clamping strap to the plate 22.

The belt-tightener assembly 18 comprises a pair of similar oppositely-disposed vertical supports 90 and 92 which include a lower right-angular mounting flange 94 and 96, respectively, which have transverse apertures that register with transverse apertures in the plate 22 for receiving fastening elements 98 that iixedly secure the supports 90 and 92 in a vertically extending position relative to the plate 22.

The vertical support 90 includes an upwardly extending body portion 100 having a lower transverse bearing 102 and an upper upwardly-disposed concave bearing portion 104. The bearing portion 104 comprises a continnation of a vertically-extending transverse slot 106 in the body portion 100 of the vertical support 90. Reciprocably disposed in the slot 106 is a bearing block 108 which has a downwardly-disposed concave bearing portion of a suitable radius to cooperate with an upper shaft 168 which will subsequently be described, said bearing block 108 having an upper socket 110 rotatably receiving a screw 112, see Figure 4, said lower end being swiveled in the socket by means of a suitable crcumposed lock ring 11`4. Said screw 112 threads through an upper transverse portion 116 of the body 100 for vertical adjustment of the bearing block 108 toward and away from the bearing portion 104, and circumposed about an upper intermediate portion of the screw 112 is a suitable lock nut 118 for retaining the relative adjusted position. The screw 112 includes a slotted head 120 to enable the afore-mentioned adjustment to be accomplished.

The vertical support 92 includes a lower body portion 122 which has extending transversely therethrough in alignment with the bearing 102 a suitable bearing 124 both of which accommodate a lower shaft 126 of a roller 128 which may be formed of rubber, for example, and molded on the shaft 126 to provide a suitable frictional periphery. The body portion 122 terminates in an upper flat end 132 which is recessed to provide an upwardly-extending concave bearing portion 130 which is in transverse alignment with the concave bearing portion 104 of the support 90. Extending laterally from the body portion 122 adjacent the upper end 132 thereof is a bifurcated ear 134 which has extending transversely therethrough a suitable pivot pin 136 providing a horizontal pivot axis for a pivoted strap-clamping head 1.38. The strap-clamping head 138 includes a downwardly-opening slot 140 which is disposed in overlying alignment with the concave bearing portion 130 and has reciprocably supported therein a bearing block 142 similar to the bearing block 108, said bearing block 142 including an upwardly-opening socket portion similar to the socket 110 in the vertical support 90, and extending through an upper transverse portion 144 of the strapclamping head 138 is an adjusting screw 146 for adjusting the bearing block 142 in a manner similar to the adjustment of the block 108, the screw 146 having a lock nut 148 circumposed about an intermediate portion thereof and including an enlarged head 150. The strap-clamping head 138 has extending laterally therefrom an ear 152 which incorporates a transverse bore that receives the pivot pin 136. Extending laterally from an opposite side 152' of the strap-clamping head subsequently become apparent. Extending laterally from the body portion 122 in underlying relationship relative to the hook 154 is an ear 156 which has a transverse pivot pin 158 extending therethrough which pivotally supports a quick-release lever 160, said lever 160 having a lower body portion 162, see Figure 1, eccentrically apertured to pivotally mount a latching yoke 164 which cornprises an elongated O-shaped member having an upper transverse end portion 166 engageable over the hook 154. The quick-release lever 160, the latching yoke 164 and the hook 154 may be collectively referred to as quickrelease securing means.

Rotatably received in the concave bearing portions 104 and 130 of the respective vertical supports 90 and'92 is the upper shaft 168 to which is molded a roller 170 similar to the roller 128, and likewise formed by suitable friction material.

As most clearly seen in Figure 2, the shaft 168 of the upper roller 170 terminates in a attened end portion 172 transversely apertured to receive a pin 174, of any suitable character, for pivotally mounting a bifurcated portion 176 of a shaft-operating lever 178.

Assuming that the strap-clamping head 138 has been swung to an inoperative position, a free end of the articleclamping strap 20 is passed between the rollers 128 and 170, after which the head 138 is swung to its vertical position, the hook 154 then being engaged by the latching yoke 164 of the quick-release lever 160 so that the rollers 128 and 170 will clamp an intermediate portion 180 of the strap 20. Rotation of the lever 178 will then feed and tension the strap 20 against a circular article 182, for example, disposed between the strap-anchoring means 16 and the strap-tightener assembly 18.

When relatively smaller articles, such as that indicated at 184, are to be retained by the strap vise, the strapanchoring means 16 is moved to a proper position as shown by dotted lines in Figure l, and a workpieceabutting idler roller 198 is utilized.

The idler roller 198 comprises a shaft 196 mounted in a pair of bearings provided in upstanding ears 188 and 190 on the mounting llanges 94 and 96 of the vertical supports and 92. Although the ears 188 and 190 are illustrated as being integral with the flanges 94 and 96, respectively, they could comprise separate elements (notl shown) suitably secured on the plate 22. The ears 188 and 190 include transverse bores for rotatably receiving opposite ends of the shaft 196 of the idler roller 198. In clamping relatively small articles such as that at 184, the strap 20 is first fed beneath the roller 198 and then between the rollers 128 and 170 so that a downwardlydirected force will be exerted on the article 184 when tension is applied to the strap 20.

In order to keep the article-clamping strap 20 under tension, a roller-locking means indicated generally at 202 is provided. The roller-locking means comprises a ratchet gear 204 tixedly secured on an outwardly-extending end portion of the shaft 126 of the lower roller member 128, see Figure 5, and although a ratchet gear is disclosed, any suitable means performing a similar function may be substituted. Pivotally mounted on a transverse or horizontal pivot pin 206 is a spring-urged pawl 208 having a detent portion 210 engageable in one of the notches of the ratchet gear 204, said pawl 208 permitting the roller member and lower roller 128 to respectively rotate in counterclockwise and clockwise directions, see Figure 5, to apply tension to the clamping strap 20, and preventing counterrotation of said roller members, since such counterrotation of the lower shaft 126 will cause a stop arm 212 of the pawl 208 to abut the upper surface of the plate 22. The pivot 206 has circurnposed thereon a suitable coil spring 214 having one end portion 216 extending into a suitable aperture in the stop arm 212 and the other end portion 218 extending into a suitable aperture in the plate 22.

When it is desired to release the tension of the articleclamping strap 20 the quick-release lever 160 is swung upwardly to release the head 138 and the pressure exerted by the upper roller 170 so that the strap 20 may be readily loosened.

The upper roller 170 can be readily removed, when desired, by swinging the strap-clamping head 138 to inoperative position and then slightly backing oif the screw element 112, so that the lever-carrying end of the shaft 16S can be moved out of engagement with the bearing block 142, and the opposite end withdrawn from the slot 106.

Seen in Figures 6 is a base-support assembly comprising a pair of separate plates 220 and 222, the plate 22) incorporating thereon a strap-tightening assembly 18 of a character similar to that previously described, and including securing or mounting means such as the clamp assembly 28, and the magnets 26. The plate 222 incorporates thereon the strap-anchoring means 16 and the mounting tmeans such as the magnet 26 and the clamp assembly 28. The operation of the vise as shown in Figure 6 corresponds to that of the structure previously described and shown in Figures l through 5, and may be utilized for retaining relatively large articles such as the arcuate plate indicated at 224.

Thus there has been disclosed a novel strap vise which fully conforms with the objects of invention heretofore set forth.

Various positional directional terms such as upper, end, lower, etc., are utilized herein and have only a relative connotation to aid in describing the device and it is not intended to require any particular orientation with respect to any external elements.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

l. A strap vise comprising a support-base assembly, mounting means on said support-base assembly for securing the support-base assembly on a support, strap-anchoring means mounted on the support-base assembly in transverse overlying relationship relative to an upper surface portion thereof, an article-clamping strap disposed transversely over the upper surface portion of the support-base assembly and having one end portion iixedly secured to the anchoring means, and a strap-tightener assembly mounted on the support-base assembly in spaced relationship from the strap-anchoring means, said straptightener assembly including a pair of vertically spaced, transversely disposed elongated roller members, the article-clamping strap including an intermediate portion clampingly and reciprocably disposed between the roller members, adjusting means on the strap-tightener assembly for adjusting the clamping action of the roller members on the article-clamping strap, means engaged with one of the roller members for rotating the roller members so as to feed and thus apply tension to the articleclamping strap, quick-release securing means on the straptightener assembly in operative engagement with the roller members for retaining the roller members in strapclamping position and permitting separation of the roller members for readily removing the article-clamping strap from between the same, and roller-locking means on the strap-tightener assembly for preventing counterrotation of the roller members when the strap clamps an article disposed between the strap-anchoring means and strap-tightener assembly.

2. A strap vise as set forth in claim l, said strap-anchoring means being reciprocably mounted on the support-base assembly and said strap-tightener assembly including a workpiece-abutting idler roller journaled on the support-base assembly between the roller members and said strap-anchoring means, and in overlying transverse relationship relative to an upper surface portion of the support base assembly, said idler roller being disposed at a lower elevation than the upper roller of the pair of vertically spaced roller members so as to permit an intermediate portion of the article-clamping strap to first pass beneath the idler roller and then between the pair of vertically spaced roller members.

3. A strap vise as set forth in claim l, said strap-tightener assembly including a pair of oppositely disposed vertical supports, each of the roller members including a shaft journaled at opposite ends on the vertical supports, and said roller-locking means including a ratchet means secured on one end portion of one of the shafts and rotatable therewith, and a spring-urged pawl mounted on the vertical support adjacent said ratchet means and engageable with the ratchet means to permit rotation of said one shaft in a direction for applying tension to the article-clamping strap and to prevent said counterrotation of the roller members.

4. A strap vise as set forth in claim l, one of the vertical supports including a pivotally mounted split-bearing portion engageable with an upper side of one end portion of the shaft of the upper roller member, and said quick-release securing means including a latch engageable with the split-bearing clamping portion for applying a releasable clamping pressure on the upper roller member which is transmitted to the intermediate portion of the article-clamping strap disposed between the vertically spaced roller members.

5. A strap vise as set forth in claim 1, the support base assembly comprising a pair of separate plate members, the strap-anchoring means being supported on one plate member, and the strap-tightener assembly being secured on the other plate member whereby relatively large articles may be clamped on a support surface between the plate members.

6. A strap vise as set forth in claim 1, said strap-anchoring means being reciprocably supported on the support-base assembly, and comprising a U-shaped bracket member including an intermediate portion secured to the one end portion of the clamping strap, and including opposite leg portions slidably mounted on the support-base assembly.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,897,644 Rothamel Feb. 14, 1933 2,394,323 Menke Feb. 15, 1946 2,521,189 Smythe et al. Sept. 5, 1950 

